Fortune points to a new report from research firm Retail Sails, which once again ranks Apple as the U.S. retail store chain with the highest sales per square foot. Apple's sales productivity is calculated at over $6000 per square foot, more than double that of second-place Tiffany & Co.

Apple also topped the list last year, with this year's 7.5% growth in sales per square foot ranking second among the top five companies to lululemon's 11.8% growth. Apple's retail store sales growth has, however, slowed considerably from Retail Sails' 2011 estimate of 49.1% growth as Apple has in some cases been transitioning to larger store sizes and expanded iPhone and iPad distribution has siphoned some demand from Apple's own retail stores.

And how does this make their last product innovative? Better? Worth the increasing price?

Yeah, one of those many many micro-news any corporation could do in other domains, that actually don't mean anything but Apple making money and obviously not investing it in R&D, quality or consumer prices anymore...but rather in ridiculous patent lawsuits.

And how does this make their last product innovative? Better? Worth the increasing price?

Yeah, one of those many many micro-news any corporation could do in other domains, that actually don't mean anything but Apple making money and obviously not investing it in R&D, quality or consumer prices anymore...but rather in ridiculous patent lawsuits.

yap.. but it means customers are buying Apple products and the store is a popular places for consumer to buy Apple stuff.. Do you know that Apple spent 3.38B in last fiscal year in R&D? How many company in the world do that?

If Apple product is not innovative or high quality, why would people buy their products? do you need to see your psychiatrist to talk out your anger issue?

yap.. but it means customers are buying Apple products and the store is a popular places for consumer to buy Apple stuff.. Do you know that Apple spent 3.38B in last fiscal year in R&D? How many company in the world do that?

To your argument - Apple is considered very innovative (as of 2011) despite its lower R&D spending

Your absolutely right. Both IBM and Microsoft (worked at IBM and have some ongoing projects at MS research) have much less to show in the way of products for the amount of research dollars spent.

Of course, IBM has a tendency to generate cool new ideas, but do so much earlier than the public is ready for them and consequently shut the program down or shift for geopolitical reasons.

Microsoft, on the other hand has some of the neatest work going on in their labs, but due to the conservative nature of Ballmer and the rest of the corporation, most never see the light of day. "Surface" is one of the very few that has made it into a product.

yap.. but it means customers are buying Apple products and the store is a popular places for consumer to buy Apple stuff.. Do you know that Apple spent 3.38B in last fiscal year in R&D? How many company in the world do that?

If Apple product is not innovative or high quality, why would people buy their products? do you need to see your psychiatrist to talk out your anger issue?

I was talking with some people about Apple innovation. One of the things mentioned was the App store as being innovative when someone chimed in and reminded us that Apple was not the 1st. I was then reminded about Steam. I was irritated, but he had a good/valid point. He mentioned serveral things that we think of as "innovation", but were actually something Apple just made better (much better in many cases).

How many bodies is that per sq. ft? I grew so tired of squeezing into Apple stores with the crowds I avoid them.

I have to agree. Very few people are actually buying whenever I've been in their - most go in there for the free wifi, to check emails and facebook...feel like slapping them sometimes.

Not sure why Apple still havent blocked access to social networks on their in-store wifi. I know they want to draw people in to use the machines, but surely they arent getting a sale anyway from someone who's only purpose in the shop is to post a status update.

I have to agree. Very few people are actually buying whenever I've been in their - most go in there for the free wifi, to check emails and facebook...feel like slapping them sometimes.

Not sure why Apple still havent blocked access to social networks on their in-store wifi. I know they want to draw people in to use the machines, but surely they arent getting a sale anyway from someone who's only purpose in the shop is to post a status update.

Make it a nice place to be, people come, and maybe the buy, maybe they don't. But you don't make sales by making your floor space hostile to visitors.

I have to agree. Very few people are actually buying whenever I've been in their - most go in there for the free wifi, to check emails and facebook...feel like slapping them sometimes.

Not sure why Apple still havent blocked access to social networks on their in-store wifi. I know they want to draw people in to use the machines, but surely they arent getting a sale anyway from someone who's only purpose in the shop is to post a status update.

They want the kiddies in there. They won't buy anything now, but 10 years from now when they have money or are going to college, their next computer purchase will be a no-brainer.

I have to agree. Very few people are actually buying whenever I've been in their - most go in there for the free wifi, to check emails and facebook...feel like slapping them sometimes.

Not sure why Apple still havent blocked access to social networks on their in-store wifi. I know they want to draw people in to use the machines, but surely they arent getting a sale anyway from someone who's only purpose in the shop is to post a status update.

When they ring you up, there are strobe lights and bells like the jackpot on a slot machine. So when you don't hear those bells, you assume that no one else is buying.

What you don't realize is that Apple only rings the bells for you. Everyone else simply hands a credit card to a clerk in a blue shirt who quietly swipes it through a card reader, and the receipt is emailed to the customer, who walks out casually without notifying you.

I have to agree. Very few people are actually buying whenever I've been in their - most go in there for the free wifi, to check emails and facebook...feel like slapping them sometimes.

Not sure why Apple still havent blocked access to social networks on their in-store wifi. I know they want to draw people in to use the machines, but surely they arent getting a sale anyway from someone who's only purpose in the shop is to post a status update.

Basic strategy, every time you take something away at the retail level you reduce numbers. Numbers equal sales, you only have to look at everybody else on this list to know why Apple does it the way they do.

Good example, how many times have you seen a sign "restrooms for customers only", yet practically everybody I know, who uses a restroom at a retail store will buy something just to feel ok about using the facillities (basic human psychology). There are always exceptions, but the basic principle applies. Let the people in for the reason they want and they will spend money, be it today or tomorrow, they are experiencing the product, the staff, the location, you name it...

Apple deserves lots of credit for what they make and sell, BUT the two stores near me are phyically only one third the size they should be. People are crammed inside. It is noisy, cramped and nearly impossible to move around in. I find it harder and harder to get help about a question. They just sell and keep their eyes not on people, but on their iPhone/iPads.
If the stores were the right size in Philadelphia, their sales per sq. ft. would be one third of what is listed. Still the best but at least user friendly like the other businesses on the list.
I do use only Apple, but no longer enter the store to look or learn.